Northeast Elementary: "50 Best American Public Elementary Schools" according to TheBestSchools.org.

2015 "Best of Des Moines" School District; Des Moines Cityview

District News & Announcements

Preschool registration is now OPEN:

Preschool registration for the 2015-2016 school yearis now open. Select one of the links below to the online registration for three-year-old or four-year-old preschool. Registrations are time-date stamped and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Northwest Energy Efficiency Strategies Result in Rebate Check for School District

Energy efficiency construction strategies continue to pay off for Ankeny Community Schools and the Ankeny Community. Not only will the district and community reap benefits in lower school operating costs, but MidAmerican Energy has presented the school district with an energy rebate check of $10,198.50 as part of an incentive program to implement energy saving measures and strategies at Northwest Elementary. Click here to read more about Northwest Elementary's energy rebate check.

Ankeny band students place in top five; receive Division I rating:

Ninth through twelfth grade band students in Ankeny had an outstanding showing at the Perry Band Olympics on February 21 at Perry High School. Out of 189 performances, Ankeny students came home with 132 "Division I" ratings and 46 top-five placings. Read more about the competition here.

Ankeny named Best School District by Des Moines Cityview:

Ankeny Community Schools has been named 2015 "Best of Des Moines" School District by the readers of Des Moines Cityview. This was the first year for the "Best School District" category in the competition, which was expanded this year to include several new categories. Read more about the district's honor here.

Prom Dress Giveaway March 9-14:

Purchasing a Prom dress can be expensive. Project Fresh Start, sponsored by Ankeny Schools Community Education Department, is hoping to make it easier for students in eleventh and twelfth grades to have a gown to wear for their junior/senior Prom.

Students are not charged for the dresses, and only school names (not recipients) are recorded.

If you have questions about the annual giveaway, please contact Mr. Kissinger at dkiss806@juno.com or Ankeny Community Education at 289-3960.

Tickets now on sale for ACHS Spring Show Choir Celebration:

It has been a great year for show choir at ACHS! The students are proud to present their annual end-of-the-year Spring Show Choir Celebration. The three choirs Spectrum, Eternal Rush, and Rhythmic Momentum have won numerous championships and caption awards this season. Don’t miss out on the final time to see these amazing shows, including solo and group acts.

Parent-teacher conferences can be a stressful time for parents with young children or students at multiple schools. The Key Club at Ankeny High School took matters into their own hands, however, helping some parents to alleviate stress and attend conferences by hosting a free daycare clinic at the high school during conference hours. Click here to read more about the Key Club's daycare service.

ACHS Debate Duo Qualifies for National Tournament:

For the second straight year, the Ankeny Centennial Debate program will send a Public Forum Debate team to the National Speech and Debate Tournament this summer. The team of Kelly Behrens and Brea Young competed for one of three top spots at the Iowa West District National Qualifying Tournament at Okoboji High School in Milford, Iowa on February 13-14. Read more about their accomplishment.

Ankeny Hyperstream Club conducts service project on internet security:

The Ankeny Hyperstream club (AHS and ACHS) will be conducting a community service project to promote computer and internet security throughout the community. As a part of this project, the students will be passively collecting wireless data throughout the community, and then analyzing the data to focus their efforts on weak or key areas around Ankeny. The purpose of the project is to assist and inform Ankeny residents about the importance of computer security in today’s modern society. Further information and suggestions for community members will be available at a later date. Contact teacher Karen O'Loughlin, karen.oloughlin@ankenyschools.org if you have questions.

AHS/ACHS Receive $50,000 Donation from MJ Properties

The Activities Departments at Ankeny High School and Ankeny Centennial High School have received $50,000 donation from Jason Loutsch and Matt Meredith of MJ Properties in Ankeny. The donation, inspired by the desire to upgrade the athletic facilities and equipment within the district, will be split by the Activities Departments of both schools. Click here to read more about MJ Properties donation.

Fifth Grade Choral Festival Practice MP3s Available:

MP3 files of the 5th grade choral festival music are now available to download and use for practice on your own. If you're participating in the 5th Grade Choral Festival, just download the MP3s of your part and start practicing!

Part 1: Students from Southeast, Terrace, Ashland Ridge and Northeast

Part 2: Students from Prairie Trail, Crocker, East, Rock Creek, Westwood and Northwest

Descant and Part 1 on "Chariot’s Comin": Students from Terrace & Westwood

Second through fifth graders can explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through a workshop on March 7, sponsored by Ankeny Community Education and hosted by the Boys Scouts of America. Second and third graders will explore activities centered around engineering principles of motion, weights, levers, pulleys and much more. Fourth andfifth graders will explore activities centered around scientific "rules and principles" and their relation to weather. Sessions are limited to 30 participants, register here today, select the class Exploring STEM in Ankeny! For more information view the STEM flier here.

Plan calls for capital campaign to renovate Ankeny Stadium -

A plan is being developed to renovate Ankeny Stadium in multiple phases using primarily private and corporate donations.The plan is designed to provide better stadium facilities for the rapidly increasing population, while avoiding the use of tax funds, if possible.The capital campaign to fund the project was recently launched with a cornerstone donation of $1,000,000 from Ankeny alumni Dennis and Sue Albaugh, which will provide the majority of the first phase of renovation. Read more about this plan and see architect's renderings of the stadium here.

Updated fact sheet from IDPH:

Although there have been no recent or current cases of measles reported in Iowa, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has provided an updated Measles Fact Sheet to Iowa K-12 schools. This fact sheet provides information regarding frequently asked questions. In the event of a confirmed case of measles, our school district will follow the direction of the Polk County Health Department and the Iowa Department of Public Health. Read the Measles Fact Sheet from IDPH here.